title: The stability of intertrochanteric fractures treated with a sliding screw-plate.
abstract: Failure of fixation is a major complication of the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures. A retrospective review was performed of 54 such fractures treated with a sliding screw-plate device. Linear and angular displacements were calculated from radiographs taken at operation and serially until healing was complete. Linear displacement was related to fracture instability, but the neck-shaft angle was relatively constant during healing. Complications were often due to failure of the sliding mechanism of the implant. We conclude that a sliding screw-plate allows controlled collapse of the major fragments but maintains the neck-shaft angle even in unstable fractures.
authors.affiliation: Toronto East General and Orthopaedic Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Flores
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000009:adverse effects; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies